Mohave County miner., 1887-08-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tPRoM Our BEGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON. Juiy o5th. 1897


Among other pecnliarities that distln-
guish ii over all the large cities OF the
United States, Washington can claim the
unenviable notoriety OF being the grand
focus Of most OF the cranks OF the coun-
try they seem to drift here as naturally
as water finds its level. Perhaps the
poor creatures are attracted by the big
stone buildings and those high in author
ity, but fanciea grievances are doubtless
the chief impelling forces, which influ-
ence them TO cast their fortunes with the
denizens OF the Capital. Tie imaginary
wrongs and the impossible desires OF
these miserable and misguided beings,
assume many forms and shapes. First,
and most dangerous, il the wildeyed in
dividual OF the Guiteau type--we have
had at least two OF these to the front 10
the past month-one was confined In the
lunatic asylum for threatening the Presi'
dents life; another was no sooner dis.
missed from the same institution than he
deliberately, and without word Of warn.
ing, murdered one OF the hest and oldest
citizens OF Washington, on crowded
street in broad daylight; and only two
days since, still another crank was found
kneeling on the steps OF the White House
and acting in mysterious manner.
Other classes OF cranks are the would-h'
inventors OF perpetual motion, and OF
ocean bailooning, who haunt the patent
Office; Office seekers and female claim
ants who hahitually hang around the
ioors OF the heads OF departments, seek
ins in vain. month after month, to un-
burden themscl Of their stories Of sor-
row and suffering and OF hopes long cher
ished, but still as bright as ever. l know,
that as a rule, women do not commit
crimes against the person, bnt often no.
tice dark and ominous CLEANS in the hol-
low, sunken eyes OF these uniortnnates,
behind which seem 10 lurk shadows OF
desperate deeds, and some day their dis
,ased brains will develop the murderous
mania, then woe 10 the victims OF the
human tigress.
The count OF the cash in the treasury
begun about two months ago and was
completed this week. II wa ,nly.found
short $3.50 IN a bag containing gold coin,
which is believed to be the result OF an
error when the amount was first counted +;
the tag showed the name Of the clerk Who
made the original count. and he prompt
ly made good the deficiency. The sum
is SO small that the Democrats can make
10 political capital out OF the count.
The late Republican Chief Clerk of the
patent Office having resigned, he feels
rec to speak of the Bacon matter, and
Explain the deficiency. He declares that
,he Published statements have been mis-
eading. and that the committee made an
inventory OF the contents OF the safe. but
lid not examine the books. The appar-
mt discrepancy of s1l, ,0o) may be mis-
take when accounts involving sll 900 900
md covering 5000 pages are carefully
reviewed. The clerk further says that
he practice OF making advances to EN-
)loyees OF the Office had existed during
Bacon's entire term, and it was with the
knowledge ofShis snperiors. Secretary
Lamar aai Commissioner Hall have per-
iisten,ly refused % permit the publica-
ion o: list OF the EMPLOYEES TO whom
hese advances were made, because the
:ustom had been continued under the
Democratic administration, and Demo
rats Of prominence were often tire bene-
iciaries.
The heads OF the several departments
md the local telephone company are
having their same old dispute over the
excessive rates exacted for that service
the city, and 80 far lha farmsr decline
0 submit to tho company's new scheme
# equalization, which. as q matter OF
,olrse, Involves an in ;rease OF charges
Che Postmaster General, under whose
Erection the contract for all government
alephoning Is made throughout the
Shole country, is authority for tho an
1ouncement that the entire expense an.
nually on that account Is not in excess OF
the sam now paid by tho United States
or teleph onins in the District OF Colum-
,ia alone.
Like BanGuo's ghost, the Todd clerical
candal will not down. 1t will be remem-
bered by your readers that tha reverend
gentleman was lately tried in this city by
! number OF his ministerial brethren, on
the charge Of unchastitv. Rev. DIR. Sun
ierlani, the Presidents pastor, defend.
ing the accused, and the verdict being
mot p-o9en." This was unsatisfactory
TO the defendlnt-though considering
himself partially vindicated-and lie APP
peals the case. Pending this action, the
people OF historic Manassas, where Mr..
Todd lives and breaches, hold an indig-
nation meeting, produce some damaging
lfIi lAvits, which thsy aiiege had been
suppressed by the clerica! court, and
,dopt resolutions denouncing Mr.. Todd
IS a moral leper and advising him to
leave for the good OF the community as